Utes Aim to Step Up in Rivalry Game
If the Utes are anxious and tense for their big game against Brigham Young on Saturday, they're not showing it. Coach Jim Boylen whistled an early end to practice today after an encouraging play by freshman guard Jace Tavita, and center Luke Nevill spent some extra time afterward playfully working on his deep three-point shot.
"What the BYU games come down to, it seems to me," Boylen said, "is we know each other so well and do such a good job of stopping first options -- at least trying to defend first options -- that the second-option plays, the open threes, the free throws, those kind of become the difference."
That, and "supporting" players.
"Last year, Burgess and Murdock buried us here," he said. "You remember that? So hopefully we can defend the three guys who are just awesome players, and their support guys who are improving don't step up and kill you -- which they're all capable of doing."
The coach was in a hurry to leave practice so he could head south and watch recruit Kyle Collinsworth practice at Provo High School, but said he wasn't sure whether to expect the Cougars to play more of the zone defense that helped them come back and win at San Diego State the other night or attempt more double-teams of Nevill than they did while he erupted for 32 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime win against the Cougars last month.
Meanwhile, Nevill took a break from clanking his long bombs off the rim and backboard long enough to say he doesn't believe he needs to have another monster game for the Utes to win.
"It would be great," he said, "but we just need a few guys to step up -- make shots, make plays -- and we should be good."
"What the BYU games come down to, it seems to me," Boylen said, "is we know each other so well and do such a good job of stopping first options -- at least trying to defend first options -- that the second-option plays, the open threes, the free throws, those kind of become the difference."
That, and "supporting" players.
"Last year, Burgess and Murdock buried us here," he said. "You remember that? So hopefully we can defend the three guys who are just awesome players, and their support guys who are improving don't step up and kill you -- which they're all capable of doing."
The coach was in a hurry to leave practice so he could head south and watch recruit Kyle Collinsworth practice at Provo High School, but said he wasn't sure whether to expect the Cougars to play more of the zone defense that helped them come back and win at San Diego State the other night or attempt more double-teams of Nevill than they did while he erupted for 32 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime win against the Cougars last month.
Meanwhile, Nevill took a break from clanking his long bombs off the rim and backboard long enough to say he doesn't believe he needs to have another monster game for the Utes to win.
"It would be great," he said, "but we just need a few guys to step up -- make shots, make plays -- and we should be good."
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 3:11 PM |
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